Ukraine Targets Russia’s Shadow Fleet

In a decisive move against what has been termed Russia’s “shadow fleet,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted a record-setting sanctions package. The decree, based on a decision by the National Security and Defense Council, targets 656 maritime vessels implicated in circumventing prior sanctions set by the European Union, the G7, and other nations.

The sanctions were prompted by evidence gathered through monitoring activities in the Black, Red, and Baltic Seas, revealing that these vessels have been instrumental in exporting Russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. Tactics employed by these ships included disabling their Automatic Identification Systems and engaging in deceptive practices that masked both the ownership of the vessels and the origins of their cargo. The implicated ships have been found to fly the flags of over 50 different countries, predominantly The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Panama, and Cameroon.

Ukraine has committed to sharing all pertinent information with the nations involved and is collaborating closely with international partners to ensure the enforcement of these sanctions. This includes halting the issuance of new licenses to the sanctioned vessels and synchronizing punitive measures across jurisdictions. Many of the targeted vessels are also under sanctions by major global powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This concerted effort underscores a global commitment to curtailing Russian energy exports via maritime channels.